Even the phrase “root canal” sounds harsh. This is a procedure that most people try to avoid. However, it can be a great way to get your smile back. If you have a tooth that’s badly damaged or even infected, we can perform a root canal and make everything better. A root canal is a complicated procedure. We’ve found that the more our patients (and prospective patients) know, the better decision they can make in regards to their own health. In this blog, we’ll go over some signs that you might need this procedure done. Then, we’ll touch on how we can give you a root canal in Burbank.
Root Canal in Burbank Explained
The first thing to note about a root canal: it’s not as painful as it seems like it might be. To repeat: it is not as painful as it seems like it might be. Movies and television have always portrayed the root canal as something awful, yet modern technology and techniques have made the root canal a relatively painless procedure. In fact, many of our patients report that having a root canal feels very similar to getting a cavity filled. Sure, there’s some minimal discomfort, but nothing like popular culture has told you.
We usually try to mention how these procedures aren’t as painful as people think because we know how widespread “dental anxiety” is. When you dread doing something, you may feel more inclined to put it off. This just makes sense, it’s human nature. However, when you do that with your dental health, it can cause more problems later on. The more you put off a root canal when you need one, the worst your problems will be. So, we always make it a point to explain how you don’t have to fear these procedures. Our experienced dental professionals make sure that you get through it with minimal pain at most.
When you need a Root Canal
There’s no one set symptom that shows you absolutely need a root canal right now. However, when you have certain problems, it could be a sign that it’s time to get one. That’s one of the many reasons we have inexpensive root canal consultations. If you read this blog and believe that you may have a root canal, we make it simple to set up a meeting with us.
The first and perhaps most obvious sign that you have a root canal is that you have a severe toothache. To be clear, this is not “a kinda bad toothache” or an “annoying toothache,” but one that is causing you truly severe pain. Of course, like so many other things, “severe pain” is subjective. If you feel that you have pain above and beyond what you would expect from a regular toothache, then it’s time to look into potentially getting a root canal.
You don’t just have to look at your teeth to see if you need a root canal. Indeed, you may have gum tissue swelling, too. If you see your gums much larger than they would otherwise be, that could be a clear sign. Of course, there’s an even clearer sign from your gums that something’s wrong: bleeding. If they’re bleeding excessively or worse, a root canal is a viable option. Your gums don’t have to be bleeding, though, for a root canal to be the course of action. Many times, a root canal is necessary if your gums are too red or too tender.
Sensitive or Numb Teeth
Speaking of “tender,” if your teeth are too tender or sensitive to certain foods or liquids, you may be in need of a root canal. For example, many of our root canal patients originally came to us because their teeth were highly sensitive to heat. They were eating something hot, or even just drinking a hot liquid, and they felt a pain that was too much for them to bear. To be clear, when we say “hot” we don’t mean it as a synonym for “spicy.” Rather, we meant it in terms of temperature – cooked food, grilled food, warm beverages (hot chocolate) and the like.
You don’t have to have teeth that are sensitive to hot foods and liquids to need a root canal, either. The opposite holds true, as well: if your teeth are too sensitive to cold drinks and foods, then you may want to look into getting a root canal. The act of chewing shouldn’t be painful. Sure, sometimes you’ll bite into something and it will hurt a bit, but that’s not what we’re discussing here. Instead, when we say “pain while chewing,” that means your teeth physically hurt while you’re chewing something hot or cold. Those are clear signs that it’s time to get checked out for a root canal.
Teeth that are overly sensitive may need a root canal. If your teeth are the opposite of sensitive, then it may still be time for a root canal (we weren’t exaggerating about how many potential symptoms there are). Another sign that you may need a root canal is if your teeth are completely numb. If you don’t feel anything in your teeth whatsoever over a period of time, it could mean that a root canal is a decision you’ll have to make.
Tooth coloring is important to keep in mind, too. Sure, not all of us have the bright white smile that we may like, but you may have a serious problem if your teeth change color rapidly. If, in a very brief period of time, they go from one color to another (and you didn’t cause this to occur) then a root canal may be the best course of action to fix what’s gone wrong.
Root Canal Causes
Often, during our root canal consultations, when we tell someone that they do indeed need a root canal, they’ll ask us something like: “how could this have happened?” The truth is that it could happen for any number of reasons. One of the most common is trauma. If you suffered some kind of injury, the pulp could become inflamed, making a root canal a necessity. This same effect, actually, can also be caused by deep fillings. Should the fillings be put in too close to the pulp, that will need to be dealt with, too.
The most common reason for a tooth’s infection or death may be decay. There are many kinds of bacteria in your mouth, not all of them are beneficial. Some produce tooth decay, which infects the pulp and then make a root canal an inevitability. However, and this is so important to keep in mind: sometimes, there is no explanation for why your pulp became inflamed. This isn’t a copout, or something we tell our patients just to make them feel better, it’s the truth. Pulp can just become inflamed out of nowhere. Moreover, it can become inflamed for really no obvious reason. It’s not worth it to beat yourself up or be mad at yourself because you may need a root canal.
When you experience any of the problems mentioned above, the pulp needs to be dealt with. Our endodontic root canal removes the pulp from the canal inside the root, among other parts of the procedure. Beyond that, we also clean, fill and seal it up. Sometimes, when a tooth goes bad, you need immediate help. When we say “immediate” we don’t mean “in regular office hours.” We have a 24 / 7 emergency help line. There, you can talk to someone who will schedule you next available appointment and get you help when you need it. Tooth pain doesn’t keep regular hours, so we make sure to offer our patients services that can help. To schedule a root canal appointment with us, call us at (818) 260-9000 or fill this out.
